Born on August 25, 1961 in Flatwoods, Kentucky, Billy Ray Cyrus is a singer who made a name for himself in the country music scene before diving into the world of acting. As a recording artist, he is most famous for his single "Achy Breaky Heart" which has won numerous awards. Since 1992, he has released more than 30 singles.
Though Cyrus attended Georgetown College on a baseball scholarship, he eventually shifted his attention to music, which is something he is very familiar with considering he grew up listening to gospel music from his family. He eventually performed as part of the band Sly Dog and was soon discovered by Mercury talent scouts while opening for a Reba McEntire concert.
In 1992, Cyrus released his debut album, which became an instant success. while the album landed number 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums, Billboard 200, Canadian Country Albums chart, and Canadian Albums Chart, his most famous single was "Achy Breaky Heart." Not surprisingly, Cyrus released a couple more albums under Mercury before signing with Monument Records in 1999.
In the same year, Cyrus his film debut in Radical Jack as Jack. He also appeared in a number of TV shows like The Nanny, Diagnosis Murder, Love Boat, and The Next Wave before being cast as Robby Stewart, the father of Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana, who happens to be played by his real-life daughter Miley Cyrus, on the Disney series Hannah Montana. Later, he became a contestant on the fourth season of Dancing with the Stars where he was paired with Karina Smirnoff.
On the big screen, Cyrus is also credited for his roles in Flying By, Hannah Montana: The Movie, Christmas in Canaan, and The Spy Next Door.
- He plays the left-handed guitar.
- He is the father of Miley Cyrus, Christopher Cyrus, Braison Cyrus and Noah Lindsey Cyrus.
- He was discovered by Mercury talent scouts while opening for a Reba McEntire concert.
- His grandfather was a Pentecostal preacher.
2010: American Society of Young Musicians Award for Best Country Artist
2010: Golden Raspberry Award - Worst Supporting Actor for "Hannah Montana: The Movie"
2009: Teen Choice Award - Choice TV Parental Unit for "Hannah Montana"
2008: BMI Songwriter of the Year - Top 50 Most Played Songs of 2008 - "Ready, Set, Don't Go"
1999: Music Row Magazine - Video of the Year for "Give My Heart to You
1999: International Entertainment Buyers Association for Humanitarian of the Year
1999: Modern Screen's Country Music Magazine for Entertainer and Male Artist
1998: TNN/Music City News Award for Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year - The Best of Billy Ray Cyrus: Cover to Cover, Single of the Year - "It's All The Same To Me," Song of the Year - "It's All The Same To Me," Video of the Year - "Three Little Words"